ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY RÉSUMÉS

Your résumé is a one-page list of your significant theatrical experience—stage roles, training, education—plus your physical description and contact information. Its goal is to help directors know more about you to help them decide if you should be cast. It is recommended that you attach your résumé to the back of your headshot so you can easily make changes. Staple the résumé to the headshot at the center top and bottom, being careful not to staple over any of your text. If you staple just a single corner, it is easy for the résumé to detach from your headshot. Your headshot is part of the résumé package. Your attitude should be open and friendly, and warmth should radiate from your eyes. One very good photo is all you really need. Headshots should always be 8 x10 and résumés must be cut to fit. Black and white headshots are no longer used; all headshots need to be in color. You can have several headshots: theatrical (more serious), commercial (more smiley) or character (for specific types you can play-optional). Matte is the best finish for headshots, not semigloss. Go to a good photography reproduction place or ask your photographer for recommendations. Just as your headshot should be as professional as you can make it, so should your résumé. Your goal is to make it look attractive, clean, clear and complete. Think of your résumé as an audition, albeit an audition on paper, so be sure it is your best work. This is your professional introduction and is crucially important. Get your mentor or a friend to look at it and make suggestions. Avoid listing on your résumé any roles that you have played which you could not conceivably perform in a professional theater. Stick to roles that represent your age range. That way people will know how to cast you. Revise, reformat and improve. When you have made it as neat and professional as possible, get it printed at a quality duplication service. Save the original on your computer so you can revise and print off fresh copies as needed. TYPICAL RÉSUMÉ FORMAT There is a standard format for résumés that, while not a hard-and-fast rule, is typically followed. You use only one 8‖ x 10‖ page, so arrange your space carefully. The format will cover the following categories and typically are in this order. Contact Information Start with, logically enough, your name in boldface. Consider adding ―actor‖ or comparable descriptive terms such as "actorsinger-dancer." It is not essential to put your home address or home phone number on your résumé. Instead, create a website and use the URL as your contact information. The best contact information is your agent’s-once you land one. If you do get an agent, reproduce your résumé on their letterhead. Professional Affiliations Beneath your name list your professional affiliations such as SAG, AFTRA, Equity. Physical Description Give your physical description—height, weight, hair and eye color, and vocal range. If you’re a singer, specify the notes. Nonsingers will use a generic term like ―baritone‖ or ―alto.‖ Some actors include clothing sizes although it might not always be necessary. Experience This is the meat and potatoes of your résumé. It also is the most difficult to organize because space is limited. Subdivide it into ―film,‖ ―television,‖ ―stage,‖ ―voice-overs,‖ ―commercials,‖ and ―other‖ such as trade shows, theme parks, or cruise ships. You’ll want to create columns to organize the categories. Column One: Name of play or movie. Column Two: Role you played. Column Three: Name and location of the theatre, the director’s name. It is common to save space by abbreviating "director" to "Dir." If you appeared with a ―name‖ actor, that can be included here. Usually the order is theatre-credits, film-credits, television-credits. If you do commercials, state only whether you have been an on-camera and/or voice-over performer and whether you have a commercial reel or tape, do not list the products. Consider, writing ―list available on request‖ or ―reel available on request.‖ If you do have a reel, consider putting it on YouTube.

dance. You can.gov/culture www.bcainc.com/acts/index. workshops.com/arts. pantomime. characters you’ve become If possible. so you really don't need to embellish the facts.backstage.com www.afaweb. If space permits and if the training session was substantially long.com www. and you might be surprised when the director says. however. and remember that word spreads easily throughout the small village).html www. which is destructive to your reputation (you do not want directors making you the butt of jokes at the local pub. stage combat. Actors may tend to exaggerate their experience to make it look more impressive.php3?chg= www.org
.org www. Theatrical Awards and Honors List any accolades in your field RÉSUMÉ DOS AND DON'TS DO Staple your résumé to the back of your headshot (both should be 8 x 10) If you have a lot of projects it is better to list the best ones Use a format that makes the resume inviting and easy-to-read Think about your accomplishments. too!‖ If you aren't truthful.com www.com www.com www.sag.dga. Be very careful: Theatre is a small village. edit it down Don't make up special skills or write things down just so to fill in the special skill area Don’t list your age on your résumé. dialects and the like.com www.variety.opencasting. tailor your résumé for a specific job.caseweb. likely you'll get caught. voice. especially if you want to include the name of the theater where you performed.com www.com www. acrobatics.org www.gov/film www. list your age range. ability to speak foreign languages. if you have that much experience.com/festival www. This means you should be prepared to revise your résumé constantly.artdeadlineslist. but known theatres hold a lot of credibility. If you are just starting out. not just a specific industry Ensure all dates link up and leave no suspicious gaps if you are using a chronological format Make sure your cover letter is as good as your résumé Tell the truth DON'T Don't use a résumé that is more than one page Don't staple reviews or clippings to your résumé.org/index2. I was.org www.tribecafilm. dance. ―You were in the ATL production of Lear? Hey. Special Talents List your special skills such as juggling.4entertainmentjobs.nyfa. As you gain experience. Unknown places will not hold much weight.mediabistro.producersguild.rileyguide.nyc.nycastings.nyc.com www. It may be quite different from your actual age Don’t include your computer proficiency on a theatrical resume. scene study—where you studied and with whom.org www. consider indicating how long you studied. Training Acting.html www. Get some input from others about what they think your age range is. Bear in mind that directors understand that young actors can't have accumulated a vast amount of experience. any instruments that you play.org www.myauditions. you can begin replacing the amateur productions with professional appearances.theatrejobs. list your college experience.artjob. if you can drive a stick shift.idealist.Space is at a premium and it is hard to fit everything in. it is not necessary Never lie about your experience ON-LINE RESOURCES www. they just get in the way Don't make the type smaller than 10 point.com www. roles you’ve played.

Creative Supervisor / Casting Director.000. Journalism.. New York. New York. 2007-2009. City Girl Conceptualized. editors.JANE LOUISE WINDSOR
PROFILE
Sample of a producer résumé
JaneLW@gmail. play writers.com / SunCo / Mermaid Films / A-Z Media Worked closely with multiple teams comprised of writers. New York. commercials. in charge of scheduling meeting arrangements.X and Y populations Led the selection of models and co-supervised video production and editing processes from start Facilitated content update for Herbex’s training program in CD-ROM and book format for throughout leading retail drug store chains nationwide EXPERIENCE Proposal Supervisor Freelance. and Public Service Announcements Created and successfully pitched an original animated series on dating to ATX Animation Teamed with ATX Animation to produce the animated series that aired eight episodes in 2000 Supervised the creation of story boards. ATX ANIMATION. LOBO RADIO. XYZ Creative Services. including Train-the –Trainer. 2004-2005.com  http://janelouisewindsor. 2003-2005.000 project for A-Z involving the development marketing tools. New York Creator. 2000-2003. and creative directors to meet client expectations on time and within budget Associate produced an eight-month. New York
. wrote intros. produced. for small business out-of-the-box e-commerce pac Steered a one-year. New York. scientists. XiT XiX. 2005-2007. Queens College. and performance of Quality Assurance testing procedures Coordinated the development of a CD-ROM based software sales tools for A-Z Media PUBLIC SPEAKING / TRAINING / WRITING: Herbex / City Girl / Fabulous Conducted seminars on sales and marketing strategies across 40 U. Flushing. selected. PRIME ENERGY. and selected illustrations and music beds for the demo and pilot NEW MEDIA PRODUCTION: Hi–Fidelity/ Onto. targeting Gen. Glamour Spearheaded brand-marketing initiatives for Herbex’s launch party that included the production video to promote a new hair color product line. and coffeehouse musicians Produced and recorded daily promotions. SKILLS QUALIFICATIONS AND HIGHLIGHTS RADIO BROADCASTING / TELEVISION PRODUCTION: LOBO Radio / ATX Animation Co-hosted and sourced the daily guest line-up for four–hour morning talk shows that blended with three on-air interviews inspired by current local and world events Interviewed an assorted guest list of legislators. New York. New York Contract Producer / Morning Show Co-Host. distinguished and on-line presence for the investment brokerage group at HI-Fidelity Cost-effectively sourced. $300. HEBEX.com
Self-directed ASSOCIATE PRODUCER with a proven ability to orchestrate a broad spectrum of music projects for key clients.C. and wrote a fashion book introducing Herbex’s new tagline. 2002-2003. graphic/technical/flash design architects. 2000. New York EDUCATION Bachelor of Arts. New York New Media Associate Producer.N. New York National Trainer. exploring a position within the broadcast news community where an eclectic television and new media production will be of value. New York. a Daisy-owned company Developed promotional websites for SunCo Electronics and Mermaid Films. I. and bumpers. $ 1. cities for Herbex. outros.000 website development project that produced a sleek. and negotiated prize-award vendor contracts for a six week promotional campaign that drove web traffic to OnTo.com. New York National Trainer/ Pop Culture Consultant.S.